Circular-rib-knitting machine



B,- HOFFMAN. CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2i, I920.

1,3 A5%m Pmntedl --Oct. 24, 1922.

. SSHEETS-SHEFI I.

INVENTOR.

A T'I'ORNEV B. HOFFMAN.

CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION man JUNE 21. 1920.

JPMJGIMBUY @Gt. 24L, 1922..

a swans-sum 2 I Illli -1|:-5-1111fifiimli IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

B. HOFFMAN.

CIRCULAR RIB KNITTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21. 1920.

Patented (NI. m, W22.

3 SHEEIS-SHEE'I 3.

ribbed fabric produced by multi-tee fl ma Patented ct. 2d, i922.

nixi

BENJAMIN HOFFlVIAN, 0F SOI T'IH EELOIT, ILLINOIS.

CIRCULAR-RIB-KNITTING MACHINE.

Application filed June 21, 1920. Serial No. 390,453.

To all whom it may concern. I

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN I-lorrnmn, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of South lieloit, \Vinnebago County, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and relatingto Circular-ltib-Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain improvements in and relating to circular rib knitting machines and particularly to single feed circular rib knitting machines of a type well known in the art to which this invention relates; and the objects and nature ofthe invention will be readily understood by those skilled. in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiments and.

mechanical expressions from among; other formations, arrangements and constructions within the spirit and scope of the invention.

The tuck rib fabric produced by multifeed circular rib knitting machines is very diflicult to back wind and hence the yarn or thread in any waste lengths, seconds or the like, is usually lost due to the difficulties of baclmvinding the yarn or thread to reclaim it for further use. Further, multi-feed machines cannot be run at as high a rate of speed, nor with the positiveuess of operation necessary to produce uniformity in the knitted product, as is possible with singlefeed machines of the type referred to, due to the number and complexity of the cam mechanisms in the knitting head of multit'ced machines, which change the positions of the needles to knit the various stitches.

tlinole feed machines are also more economical in the use of needles than the mnlti-fced machines due to the smaller ninnber of cams which act thereon. In toppinp tuck chines it 1= .xtremely difficult to unravel the multiplicit' of threads knitted thereinto, to place the fabric onto a transfer ring, where- .is a tuck ribbed fabric when produced on a a single teed machine can he more easily placed on a transferring.

lt an object of my invention to pro-, ride certain improvements in single feed circular rib knitting machines which will enable them to knit a tuck stitch and produce a tuck ribbed fabric which can be readily back wound to reclaim waste thread or yarn, which improvements will. enable the ma chines to produce a tuck ribbed fabric without reducing its normal speed of operation and production and which permit of the production of tuck ribbed fabric with needle breakage reduced over the breakage in multi-feed machines, upon which such fabric is customarily knitted. i

It is a. further object of my invention to provide certain improvements in single feed circular rib knitting machines. which im-- provements are simple in construction and arrangement of parts and which can be readily and inexpensively added. to existing;- machines or constructed in, and. as a part of, such machines when being built, to enable them to knit a tuck stitch to produce a tuck ribbed fabric.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth and pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying, drawings: Fig.1 is a front elevation of a circular knitting machine of the type referred to herein and embodying my present invention Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism embodying my invention, with the knitting head and base plate of the'machine re moved.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 46 -4, Fig. 3, showing the pattern wheels and cooperating mechanism.

F 5 is a detail viewof a portion of the pattern -wheel embodied in my invent-ion.

Fig. 6 is a perspective detail view of the pattern wheel operated lever embodied in my invention. I

In the accompanying; ('lrawings A is the framework of the machine. B is the knitting head which may be. of any convenient construction but which I have shown for purposes of illustration, as that type of single feed knittinghead well known in the art, in which the movable needle actuating cams are operated through levers l. and which levers are actuated by discs 3 and 4., on a shaft 5. The shaft 5 being raised and lowered by a lever 6, controlled by the pattern Wheel. The raising and lowering of shaft 5 changes the position of the discs 3 and 4, so as to cause them to actuate the levers 1 and 2.

A pattern wheel 7 is mounted on a shaft 8 in hearings on the frame A below the base plate 9. This pattern wheel consists of a disk having pattern segments 10 rennwably fastened therearound. The lever 6 rests upon the pattern wheel 7 and is raised. or lowered by the segments fastened thereto, as the wheel is rotated by operating mechanism E mounted on the frame A, The operating mechanism E is well known to those skilled in the art, and is actuated by a slide 12 mounted in suitable guideways on the frame A and below the base plate 9-. The slide 12 is reciprocated at each revolution of the rotary base plate of the knitting head, by pivoted lever 38, and through ratchet and pawl arrangements in mechanism E is adapted to cause a step by step movement of the pattern wheel 7 or permit, 7 to. rest idle, as the case may be, all of which arrangement is well known and understood by those skilled in the art.

A shaft 13 mounted in bearings transversely of the frame A below the knitting head carries a wheel 1% provided with projections or teeth adapted to engage the knitted fabric as it passes downwardly from the knitting head B. y

The shaft 13 at its other end extends into and co-operates in the actuation of the pattern wheel controlling mechanism within housing 11.

A driving shaft 15 rotates the mechanism of the knitting'head through a pinion 15.

Referring now to the mechanism and arrangement of parts embodying the improvements of my invention applied to a single feed circular rib knitting machine, of a type well known and understood by those skilled in the art, and characterized generally by the arrangement of elements identi' fied in the foregoing description thereof.

The pattern wheel shaft 8 of a machine of the character shown and described is made of sufficient length to provide an end portion extending a distance beyond pattern wheel'7. A bushing 16" is loosely mounted upon this end portion of shaft 8 and at its inner end bears against a washer 37 placed on the shaft and against the hub portion of pattern wheel 7. The outer end of bushing 16'is formed with an enlarged portion forming a head 17 provided with an annular shoulder portion 18 on its inner face.

A pattern wheel 19 is loosely mounted upon the bushing 16 and rotatable thereon. Interposed between the pattern wheel 19 and the head of bushing 16 is a circular spring metal disk 20 having its rim portion bent inwardly and bearing against the side surface of pattern wheel 19 and its central portion cut out to form a circular opening fitting around and over the annular, shoulder portion 18 of head 17 and the peripheral portion of central opening bearing against the inner side of bushing head 17.

An arm or handle 21 is fastened by screws 22 or other suitable fastening means to the head 17 of bushing 16 and cktcnds radially therefrom across the bracket 23 which supports the shaft 13 of wheel 11. The end portion of arm 21 fastened to head 17 is provided with a central opening alined with a screw threaded bore in the end of shaft 8, extending longitudinally a distance into the shaft. A screw 24 having a flat head of greater diameter than that of the centnal opening in the end portion of arm 21 is screwed into the bore in shaft 8 through the opening in arm 21 with its head bearing against the arm, compressing the spring disk 20 between bushing head 17 and pattern wheel 19.

The arrangement of pattern wheel 19, as described, permits it being rotated upon the bushing 16 independently of arm 21 and against the friction created by the disk 20 pressing against it, the said disk, as stated being under tension between head 17 and the wheel 19. \Vheel 19 can also be rotated by arm 21 due to the friction created by the disk 20, that is, disk 20 forms a friction clutch between arm 21 fastened to bushing 16 and the pattern wheel 19, which permits the latter being rotated independently of arm 21 and bushing 16 when the force applied to the wheel is greater than the friction created by the disk thereagainst, and which permits the wheel 19 being rotated with arm 21 and bushing 16 when there is no greater force applied to wheel 19 than that-of the friction created by disk 20, which friction causes disk 20 to grip wheel 19 and turn the same as the disk is turned by arm 21.

In the particular form of pattern wheel illustrated, I have shownthc wheel 19 terminating in a flange 25, the periphery of which has ratchet teeth 26 cut therein, extending completely therearound. A series of pattern segments 27 are removably fastened to a side of the flange 25 and are formed with concave bases resting upon the periphery of wheel 19. These segments are of such a length that when in position on the pattern wheel they extend a distance beyond the ratchet teeth formed in the periphery of flange 25. Each segment has approximately half its width cut away as indicated at 28 to a depth terminating a distance from the ratchet teeth of the flange 25. In position around the periphery of the wheel 19 they form a series of alternate raised portions 29 and depressions or cut away portions 28.

Arranged on the inner or ratchet side of wheel 19, I show a member 30 adapted to a position below the ratchet teeth 26 and when slid outwardly is in a position beyond the ratchet teeth, for a purpose which will be explained hereinafter.

A circular cam 33m the form of a ring having a portionof its outer edge flattened or cut away at 36 to form a plane surface is fixed to pattern wheel 7 and rotates there with around shaftS. A stud 34 provided with an anti-friction roller 35 is fastened to member 30, slidable therewith, extending at right angles therefrom and bearing upon the outeredge of cam 33. l/Vhen in normal position upon cam 33 the stud and roller 34, 35 hold member 30 in extended outward position with its outer end beyondthe ratchet teeth and when stud 34 rests upon the flat.

portion 36 of cam 33 member 30 is permitted to slide inwardly to a position with its outer endbelow the ratchet teeth 26 of wheel 19.

The slide 12 mounted on frame A is provided with an arm or extended stud 37 fixed thereto, extending across the two pattern wheels 7 and 19. The arm 37 is fixed to slide l2 between the pivoted arm 38, which reciprocates theslide, and the edge of frame A. Loosely mounted on the free end por tion of arm 37 is a pawl 39 which rests upon the ratchet teeth of wheel 19, in such manner that on the inward movement ofslide 12 the pawl 39 engages a tooth 26 of the ratchet forming flange 25 and rotates the wheel 19 a distance. The pivoted lever 6 is provided about midway its length with a stud 40 extending across two pattern wheels 7 and 19 and resting thereupon. Antifric tion rollers 41 and 42'are mounted on the stud at the points where stud. 4O rests upon wheels 7 and 19, respectively; The rotation of. the pattern wheels 7 and 19 causes the pattern segments to raise andlower stud 40 and lever 6.

Any desired arrangement or number of pattern segments can be fixed. around the periphery of the pattern wheel 19, but in the particular example illustrated, and described herewith, I show a series of pattern segments 27 the form of which has been hereinbefore described, fixed completely around the pattern wheel 19 to form alternate raised and depressed portions, 29, 28, with the exception of one point-on the wheel at 43, where I omit a pattern segment 27. The point 43 on wheel 19 at which a pattern segment is omitted to form a blank space or depression in the periphery formed by the pattern blocks, is such that, when stud 40 .is directly above point or depression 43, the pawl 39 rests upon ordirectly above the member 30, as clearly shown in the accompanying drawings. I have shown a pattern segment 44 inserted in the blank space at point 43 to cause the remaining space to conform to the diameter of roller 42 of stud 40. Such a segment as 44, may be used as an adjusting and positioning medirun to so arrange the denfiession 43 that hen it is directly below stud 40, pawl 39 will be in position with respect to member 30.

.l he pattern segments of the pattern wheel 7 cooperate with the segments of pattern wheel 19 to operate the lever 6 and raise or lower disks 3 and. 4 on the shaft 5, that is, the position of disks 3 and 4 is-d'etermined by the shape of the pattern segments fixed around the wheels 7and 19 which are in line and below the stud 49 at the same time. If the segment of wheel 7 below stud 40 is of greater length than that of the segment on wheel. 19 in line therewith and below the stud, then lever 6 is raised by the segment of wheel 7 or if the above conditions are re versed, thenlevero is raised by the segment of wheel 19. The position of lever 6 being determined by the combined surfaces of the pattern segments of wheel 7 and 19 which are in line and directly below and in the vertical plane of stud 4 The operation ot the mechanism and arrangements embodying my invention as described. hereinbefore is as follows:

in the accompanying drawings, T have shown the pattern wheels '7 and 19 in such positions that, a space or depression formed on the periphery of wheel 7 by the omission of a pattern segment is in line with depression 43 on wheel 19 and both are directly below the stud 40. In this position of the pattern wheels 7 and 19, the stud 4O rests in the depressions 45 and 43 on its a11ti-friction rollers 41 and lever 6 is in a lowered position which lowers disks 3 and 4 to cause the needles of the knitting head to knit loose courses, as well understood by those skilled in the art.

The cam is so arranged and fined on. and with. respect to, the pattern wheel 7 that, when. depression is in the position described above the flat portion, 36 is in a position on the other side of the depression 4.5 from member 30. Thus, the member 30 is held in its outermost position by stud 34 and roller 35 resting on. cam the end of member extending beyond the ratchet teeth 26, and pawl. 39 being in line therewith is held out. of engagement with the ratchet.

the knitting head of the machine is op erat-ed thelever 38 will be rocked to reciprocate slide 12 and as the slide is reciprocated the mechanism operated thereby will rotate pattern wheel 7 step by step. Paw] 39 will be reciprocated by the movement of slide 12 but dueto the position of member 30 will be held out of engagement with the ratchet teeth and wheel 19 will remain stationary,

I pawl 39 to set or arrange wheel The pattern segments of wheel 7 will therefore determine the character of stitch knitted by the needles of the knitting head, by raising and lowering lever 6, shaft 5, and disks 3 and l, to operate the needle position cha ng mechanisms of the knitting head l Pattern wheel I and cam 33 carried and withdraw its outer end below teeth 26 onwheel l9. il hen member 30 is thus withdrawn pawl 39 rests ugon and engages teeth 536 of wheel 19.,each movement of pawl 39 on reciprocation oi? slide 12 rotating wheel 19 a distance.

The pattern segments 2'? of wheel 19, as it'is' rotated will raise and lower the lever 6 and through shaft and disks 3 and 4, operate the needles of the knitting head B to knit the tuck rib stitch and produce a tuck rib fabric.

During the rotation of the pattern wheel .19, the wheel 7 is rota ed at times and held stationary at other times to cause. cooperation of its pattern segments with those of pattern wheel 19, to so interrupt and alter the length of tuck rib :tabric knitted as to produce the desired character of knitted length. The pattern. wheel 7 is so operated a that when the desired length of luck rib fabric is completed the depression at?) between the pattern segments o'l? wheel 7 will be in line with depression of wheel 19 below stud 4:0, which stud, dropping into these alined depressions causes the needles of head 3 to knit loose stitches which will separate the length of fabric just completed from the length to be next knitted. The slide 12 then reciprecates and wheel 7 is moved to raise stud l0 from the alined depressions and and the needles start knitting; fabric in accordance with the form of the pattern segments on wheel 7, w reel 19' remaining"stationary. as described RDClGXPlRlilGCl. dion (-o-ntinuing until-another length of fabric has been knitted. I

It will be noted that tie arm 2lbears against the bracket which supports the shaft 13 oi wheel 14, and that, through the friction disk 20, the pattern wheel 19- is rotated independently oi disk 20 and bushing 16. However, when it is desired to rotate the pattern wheel 19 independently of 4 19 with respect to wheel 7, the arm 21 is lifted up wardlyand due to pawl 59 engaging teeth to, the wheel 19 remains stationary. then when the arm is pushed downwardly it will rotate wheel 19 by means of disk 20 exerting pressure thereagainst. This op eration is repeated until the desired relative position ol wheel 19 is obtained.

The improven'ients embodying my invention can be readily applied to single leed circular rib knitting machines of the type referred to and also to multi-i'ccd machines of thc general type characterized by the single teed .iachines roteriml to, by leugtlr ening the pattern wheel shall of a. machine, lengthening the stud mounted on the lever ol the machine that changes the needle positions and adding); a s'lud and paw] to the slide which operates the pattern wheel rotating mechanism. The described improrements may also be readily construo ted with and in machines of the type when being built.

The tuck rib fabric produced by a single feed machine having the attachment of my invention applied thereto can be back wound to reclaim the yarn or thread knitted thereinto, thus avoiding the 'aste of material in seconds or waste lengths. Further, advantages being, the increased rate oi? speed at which the machine can be driven and the smaller needle breakage.

It is evident that various changes, modifications. va'iations and departures might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope (ill my invention and hence I do not wish to limit the invention to the exact disclosures hereof.

ll hat I claim is:

1. In a circular knitting machine, a pat-- tern wheel shalt, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, means 'l'or rotating;- said wheel. a second pattern wheel mounted on said shaft and rotataliile independently of or simultaneously with said first mentioned wheel. and means mounted on one oi said wheels lor controlling the operation oi the other of said wheels.

In a circular knitting); machine, a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon and rotatable therewith, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said she lt, means for rotating; said wheels simultaneous or independently of each other, and means mounted on the said wheels for controlling the rotation thereol.

3. In a circular knitting machine, a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted theremi and rotatable therewith, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said she lt, and rotatable independently oli or simul teneously with said first mentioned wheel, means for rotating); said pattern wheels, means carried by one of said wheels l'or controlling the rotation thereof, and means mounted on the other of said wheels l'or actuating said rotation. controlling menus.

l. A. circular knitting machine comprising a pattern wheel shaft, :1 pattern wheel mounted thereon and rotatable therewith,

incense means for rotating said pattern wheel and shaft, 21 second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and rotated by the operating means for said first mentioned wheel, and needle actuating mechanism for changing the stitch operated and controlled by the said pattern wheels.

5. A circular knittingmachine comprising a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon and rotatable therewith, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, operating means for said pattern wheels, and needle actuating mocha nism for changing the stitch adapted to be operated and controlled by one or both of said patternwheels.

6;.A circular knitting machine comprising a pattern Wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon and fixed to rotate therewith, a second pattern wheel loosely mount ed on said shaft andirotatable independently of c said first mentioned pattern wheel and said shaft, operating means for said pattern wheels, and knitting needle actuating mechanism for changing the stitch adapted to be operated and controlled by either or both of i said pattern Wheels when rotated by the said operating means. l

7:; A single feed circular knitting machine comprising a shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon and fixed to rotate therewith, pattern wheel operating mechanism, pattern wheel operated and controlled mechanism, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, a ratchet on said. second pattern wheel, a pawl actuated by the pattern wheel operating mechanism and adaptedto engage said ratchet to rotate saidsec- 0nd wheel, a member arranged on said second wheel. adapted to maintain said pawl disengaged from said ratchet, means on said first mentioned pattern wheel adapted to control the position ofsaid member, to maintain the same in pawl engaging or disengaging position, said second pattern wheel adapted, when rotated bysaid pawl engaging said ratchet, to operate the mechanism controlled and operated by said first mentioned pattern wheel. i

8. A single feed circular knitting machine comprising a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel fixed thereon and rotatable therewith, pattern wheel operating mecha nism, pattern wheel operated and controlled mechanism, abushing loosely mounted on said shaft, an arm fixed to said bushing extending radially from the end thereof and adapted to bear against the frame of the .machine, a second pattern wheel mounted on said bushing and rotatable thereon, friction means interposed between said second wheel and the end ortion of said bushing whereby said secon wheel is rotatable by said arm and with said bushing or independently of said arm and bushing, said extending radially'from the end portion thereof and adapted to bear against the frame of the machine, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said bushing, a friction disk interposed between said wheel and the end portion of said bushing whereby said second wheel is rotatable by said arm or independently thereof against the friction of said disk, aratchet on said second pattern wheel, a pawlactuated by said pattern wheel operating mechanism adapted to engage said ratchet to rotate said second wheel inde pendently of said first mentioned wheel, said second pattern wheel when rotated adapted to operatethe mechanism operated and controlled by said first mentioned wheel, means on said second wheel adapted to disengage said pawl from said ratchet to permit said second wheel to remain stationary, and means on said first wheel for controlling said pawl disengaging means,

10. A knitting machine including a pat tern wheel, and means for actuating said wheel, in combination with a second pattern wheel mounted in substantially axial alinement with said first mentioned wheel and operable independently thereof or together therewith by said wheel actuating means, and means frictionally engaging said second wheel for adjusting the samewith respect to said first mentioned wheel,

11. A knitting machine including a pattern wheel, means for actuating said wheel, and means controlled thereby, in comb'na tion with a second pattern wheel mounted in substantially axial alinement with said first mentioned wheel and operatedby said wheel actuating means and operating upon the means controlled by said first mentioned lltO nism comprising a shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, a second pattern wheel loosely mounted onsaid shaft and operable independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel, means for actuating said pattern wheels independently of each other or together, and manually operable means comprising a friction clutch carried by said shaft for rotating said second pattern wheel to adjusted posit on with respect to said first mentioned pattern wheel.

let. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with, a shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, and means for operating saidwheel, of a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and operable simultaneously with and independently of said first mentioned wheel, means for operating said second pattern wheel, and knitting needle actuating mechanism for changing the stitch actuated and controlled by said first mentioned wheel, the said mechanism adapted to be actuated and controlled by said second pattern wheel in cooperation with said first mentioned wheel.

In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a shaft, a pattern wheel mounted on and rotatable with said shaft, and knitting needle actuating mechanism for changing the stitch operated and controlled by said pattern wheel, of a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and o Jerable simultaneously with and independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel to operate and control said needle actuating mechanism in cooperation with said first mentioned pattern wheel.

16. In a circular knitting machine, the combination with a shaft,- a pattern wheel mounted thereon and rotatable therewith, and means for rotating said shaft, of a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft, means for imparting a step by step rotation to said second pattern wheel, and means carried by said first mentioned wheel for controlling the operation of said means for rotating the said second wheel.

17.;In a circular knitting machine, a shaft, a pattern wheelmounted thereon and rotatable therewith, means for rotating said shaft, a second pattern wheel loosely mountedon said shaft, means for rotating said second pattern wheel, means mounted on said second pattern wheel for rendering the rotating means therefor inoperative, and means mounted on said first mentioned pattern wheel for actuating said means for rendering the said second wheel rotating means inoperative.

1'8.In a circular knitting machine, a shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, means for rotating said shaft, a second .pattern wheel loosely mounted on said shaft and formed with a ratchet, a pawl normally engaging said ratchet, a member mounted on said second pattern wheel adapted to disengage said pawl, and a cam mounted on said first niei'itioned wheel controlling said pawl disengaging member.

19. In a circular knittingmachine, a pattern wheel formed with a iatchet, a pawl engaging the ratchet to rotate said wheel, and a slide mounted on said wheel adapted to lift said pawl from engagement with said ratchet, and means for actuatiup,- said slide.

20. In a circular knitting machine, :1 shaft, a pair of pattern wheels mounted thereon, one of said wheels rotated by a pawl and ratchet, a member mounted on said last mentioned wheel adapted to disengage aid paw] and ratchet, and a cam mounted on the other of said wheels in engagement with said member to operate the same.

21. In a circular knitting machine, a pair of pattern wheels operable independently of each other and simultaneously and in cooporation with each other, respectively, means for operating said wheels, and means mounted on said wheels for controlling and determining the relative operation thereof with respect to each other.

In a. pattern mechanism for knitting; machines, a pair of pattern wheels operable simultaneously or iinlependeiuvly of each other respectively, and means actuated and controlled by said pattern wheels. the said means including an element mounted in operative relation with respect to said wheels, said element actuated and controlled by the combined wheels during simultaneous operation thereof, and the said wheels so constructed and arranged that during non-operation of one of the wheels and operation of the other thereof the said element is aclu ated only by the independently operated wheel.

23. Tn a pattern mechanism for knitting machines, a series of axially aliued pattern wheels operable simultaneously or indepen dently of each other, respectively, and means actuated and controlled by said pattern wheels, the said means including a stud extending transversely across said wheels in operative relation with respect to the peripheries thereof, and the said pattern wheels so constructed and arranged with respect to each other that the said stud is controlled by the combined peripheries of said wheels during simultaneous operation thereof, and during independent operation of any of said pattern wheels the said stud operated and controlled solely by said independently operated wheel.

24. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, a pair of pattern wheels mounted in axial alinement and operable siniultancously with or independently of ouch other, respectively, each of said wheels provided with a peripheral recess, a stud extending transversely across the peripheries of said llll) llO i ,asaaaa pattern wheels in operative engagement therewith, and the said stud actuated. by the combined peripheries ofsaid pattern wheels during simultaneous operation thereof and during independent operation of one of said. wheels the other thereof in. nonoperative position with the respective peripheral. recess thereof alined with and receiving;' said stud in nonengaging relation with respect thereto, the said stud actuated and controlled solely by the independently operatedwheel.

25. In a pattern. mechanism for knitting machines, a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon for rotation therewith, a bushing mounted on said shaft for rotation thereon, a second. pattern wheel mounted on said bushing for rotation there on and independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel, and means normally maintaining said bushing against rotation with said shaft, the said means operable to rotate said bushing and pattern wheel mounted thereon independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel to permit adjustment of said second wheel with respect to the said first mentioned wheel.

26. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, the combination-with a pattern wheel shaft and pattern wheel mounted thereon, of abushinp; mounted on said .shaft for rotation thereon independently of said pattern wheel, a second pattern wheel rotatably mounted on said bushing, said second pattern wheel rotatable with said bushingor independently thereof, respectively, and means normally maintaining said bushing; against rotation on said shaft and permittingrotation of said second wheel thereon, the said means operable to rotate said bush ing and said second pattern wheel mounted thereon independently of said shaft and the said first mentioned pattern wheel, whereby said second pattern wheel may be adjusted with respect to the said first mentioned pattern wheel.

27. In pattern mechanism for knitting machines, a pattern wheel, a second pattern. wheel operable simultaneously with or independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel, means mounted on said second pattern wheel for controlling the operation thereof, and means mounted on said first mentioned wheel for actuating" the controlling means for said second wheel.

28 in pattern mechanism for knitting machines, a pattern wheel, a second pattern. wheel operable simultaneously with or independently of said first mentioned pattern wheel, means for actuating said pattern wheels, means mounted on said second pattern wheel for rendering said actuating means operative and inoperative with respect to the said second wheel, and means mounted on and operated by said first mentioned pattern wheel for controlling the op eration of said means mounted on said second pattern wheel for renderingating means operative and inoperative.

29. .lIn combination with a circular knitting machine including a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, means for actuating said pattern wheel, and stitch changing means operated by said pattern wheel; a second pattern wheel loosely mounted on saidshaft for independent rotation thereon, an extension mounted on said. stitch changing means in operative engagement with said second pattern wheel, means for actuating saie second pattern wheel operated by said first mentioned wheel actuating means, and means mounted on said second. wheel for rendering the actuating means therefor operative and inoperative with respect thereto.

30. in combination with a circular knitting machine including a pattern wheel shaft, a pattern wheel mounted thereon, means for actuating said pattern wheel, and stitch changingmechanism operated by said pattern wheel; a second pattern wheel mounted on said shaft and rotatable thereon independently thereof, a stud operatively mounted on and connected with said stitch changing mechanism, the said stud. extending across the periphery of said second pat-- tern wheel adapted for actuation thereby to operate said stitch changing mechanism, means operated by the actuating means for said first mentioned pattern wheel for actu-.

ating said second pattern wheel, and means mounted on said second wheel and controlled by the relative operation of said first mentioned wheel for rendering the said second wheel operative simultaneously with said first mentioned wheel or independently thereof, or for rendering said second wheel inoperative, respectively.

BENJ. HOFFMAN said actu-v 

